Superior Birding and into Michigan

We spent 17 days birding from the beach at Wisconsin Point in Superior, and each day brought a different sunrise, and a different look to the lake, from glass smooth to red and rough.  And it also brought different birds migrating south from Canada.  We were blessed with all three Jaeger species: Parasitic, Pomarine, and Long-tailed.  Sabine's, Boneparte's, Great Black-backed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls,  Common, Forester's, Caspian and even one Arctic Tern.  Several shorebirds and lots of waterfowl.  We ended our Wisconsin Bird list with 277 species which isn't too bad for the short time we were in the state.

Common Merganser

American Golden Plover

Parasitic Jaeger scatters the gulls

Highbush Cranberry changing colors

Downy Woodpecker eyes caterpillar 

Mountain Ash

Painted Lady

Sharp-shinned Hawk - feather in beak

Rough, red clay silt caused by strong northeast winds

Bald Eagles also kept the gulls moving

Northern Pintail hen

Many birders came to watch for Jaegers

Ring-billed Gull chased by Parasitic Jaeger hoping to steal food

Parasitic Jaeger glides by close

Boneparte's Gull

Approaching storm over Minnesota 

Parasitic chases smaller Long-tailed Jaeger

Storm is coming, time to leave the beach

Last Sunrise on Lake Superior

Franklin's Ground Squirrel visits our feeder

Red-breasted Nuthatch with pine seed

Trumpeter Swan with stained head

We went across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and spent the night near Seney National Wildlife Refuge.  In the morning we took the auto tour through the refuge.

Busy Beaver getting ready for winter

Sharp-tailed Grouse walked right out in front of us

Horned Lark

We then drove to Whitefish Point and walked to the beach searching for more migrants.  We saw Common and Red-throated Loons soaring by in the distance.  Many American Pipits and Horned Larks rested on the beach.  A few ducks and shorebirds flew by, but the flies were terrible so we went on.

Black-throated Green Warbler

Uncommonly beautiful Common House Spider

We stayed at the Rivermouth Campground at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and the first thing in the morning we had five Ruffed Grouse near the road.  Of course, a car drove by and scattered them but one stayed for a photo, calling to the others.

Burt Lake Black Squirrel

Teasle

Fall Aster

Next stops will be Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia for a week to visit friends.

Then it will be onward to Florida, not knowing what plans will have to be changed because of Hurricane Irma.

Love & Prayers,
Ty & Ida Baumann